اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner.
Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatika
When to Read
This profound supplication is excellent to recite anytime, but it holds particular significance when you are preparing for or engaging in night worship (Qiyam al-Layl). It's a request for divine assistance to make your worship both sincere and effective. You can say it before you begin praying at night, or even during the day as a continuous plea to improve your connection with Allah.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and focus, internalizing its meaning. Understand that true sweetness in worship comes not just from effort, but from Allah's facilitation. Raise your hands as you would in any supplication, present your need to your Lord, and truly believe that He is the One who enables you to remember, thank, and worship Him beautifully.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is comprehensive. By asking for help in remembering Allah (dhikr), you're seeking a constant connection. Asking for help in thanking Him (shukr) means acknowledging His countless blessings and showing gratitude, which in turn increases those blessings. And asking for help in worshipping Him in the best manner (husni 'ibadah) covers all aspects of devotion, seeking excellence and sincerity in every act. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this to his companion Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) as a way to supplicate, highlighting its immense value for spiritual well-being and effective worship, especially during the blessed hours of the night.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to Abu Bakr: 'There is no one who says these words in the morning, except that I bear witness that he is pleased with me.' Abu Bakr said: 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me the words to say in the morning.' He said: 'Say: O Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who is Aware of the unseen and the seen, Lord of everything and its Owner, the Merciful, the Bestower of sustenance, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my soul and from the evil of the devil, and from the evil of polytheism, and from the evil of all that is attached to it.' And he said to him: 'Say: O Allah, help me to remember You, and to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner. ...' (Note: The full hadith includes other duas, this is the relevant portion for the sweetness of worship.)